4. Significant Transfers Become Eligible

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As if Rice's recruiting success wasn't enough, Rebel fans have to be jazzed about two huge transfers who will be suiting up this year.

Bryce Jones (pictured), a former 4-star SG from USC, will add an edge to the Rebels backcourt. Jones is a fierce competitor who is relentlessly in attack mode, so look for the 6'5" wing to be in the opening game starting lineup.

Former McDonald's All-American, 5-star PF Khem Birch also comes to Vegas with a lot to prove, as he only played 10 games at Pitt before leaving the team.

Like Bennett, Birch was ESPNU's No. 1 PF from the Class of 2011. He brings nice length and freakish athletic ability to the Rebels frontcourt.

3. Nice Complementary Players on the Court

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Rising senior Anthony Marshall (pictured) will most likely start for the Rebels at PG. Coming out of Mojave High School in Vegas, Marshall was described as, "the quintessential glue-type for the next level."

Marshall understands the game and plays with an in-your-grill mentality from the time he steps on the court. At 6'3", he was second on last year's team in both rebounding (5.1 RPG) and assists (4.6 APG).

Watch for Marshall to have a big final season.

Justin Hawkins, another senior guard, will still be very much in the mix this year. Hawkins played almost 25 minutes per game last year, averaging 7.9 PPG and 2.9 RPG.

Rice has plenty of options of how he can mix and match Marshall, Jones, Hawkins and Reinhardt in the backcourt.

1. Mike Moser Returns for Another Year

With all of the positives that have already been mentioned, Mike Moser's return is the biggest reason that UNLV might be scary good in 2012-13.

Moser was a double-double machine (14 points/rebounds double-doubles) last year. He put up 16 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in the Rebels' upset victory over North Carolina.

Not a bad night when you are playing against Tyler Zeller, John Henson and Harrison Barnes.

Moser also was the No. 10 rebounder in the nation (10.6 RPG) while leading the Rebels in scoring by averaging 14.1 PPG.

The 6'8" rising junior is a good example of a guy who benefited from a fresh start via transferring. Moser had an almost nonexistent freshman year at UCLA, playing only 70 minutes and scoring nine points all season in 2009-10.

If Moser, Birch and Bennett can learn to blend their ridiculous talent, look for UNLV to make a very deep run in the NCAA tournament during the second half of the season.

And don't be surprised if you see them in the 2013 Final Four in Atlanta.